Poll: Were You Surprised By Who Won The Next Food Network Star?

Were You Surprised by Who Won The Next Food Network Star?

Last night was the season finale of The Next Food Network Star, and I couldn't wait to tune in to find out the winner. Was it going to be the laid-back, well-spoken world traveler, Jeffrey Saad — or the resourceful, vivacious mom, Melissa d'Arabian?

In my opinion, it was obvious which contestant was more marketable, so I wasn't the least bit surprised when the winner was announced. What about you?

Where is Melissa??? She is great and has far exceeded any expectation for someone new to TV. Bring her back and put Brian Boitano back on ice!!!

5 years

I think Jeffrey has a great personality and makes you hungry just watching him prepare something. Debbie is so lively in full of information. Can see Debbie bringing her family into the picture with her recipes. But I also see a future for Jeffrey. Coming in #2 does not mean you go home and back to your old life. We may not see him on TV, but there is no doubt he will be involved with the FoodNetwork in some way. Too much talent to waste.
Congratulations to both on a job well done.

I def thought Melissa would win it since the first episode, but I personally preferred Jeffrey WAY over Melissa. She reminds me of a blonde Rachel Ray, and Jeffrey's dishes always seemed much more unique and tasty to me. Melissa's tips were nice and all, but I don't think I'll be tuning in.

To be honest, I figured Jeff would win because he has similar characteristics to, oh, about 95% of the male Food Network line up.
Melissa is a breath of fresh air and while I had my fingers crossed that she'd win, I really was afraid Jeff would wind up winning. Don't get me wrong, I like them both....but I'm much more interested in seeing what Melissa has to say and cook!
Her new show sounds fantastic and I couldn't be more excited.
Not to mention....did anyone else notice the difference between Melissa's house and Jeff's house? Melissa totally needs the bank!

I agree YumSugar, I was sort of disappointed that they went with the $10 dinner rather than Kitchen Survival, which would have been longer lasting. I realize they are trying to market in the recession, but Sandra Lee (who I hate) has another show like this already.
I'm not surprised that either was picked, I certainly couldn't pick myself. Jeffery's concept was great, and sophisticated without complication. But you can't ever beat basic tips, and fast quick meals. Melissa's concept is irresistible. For the one episode she gave one quick tip on growing scallions at home and I was so impressed, and I was looking forward to more of that. But the "tips" she will give on her new show will mimic Sandra Lee's new show and a lot of what Rachel Ray already does in 30m meals... (though I feel the are fazing her out...! I haven't seen a new episode for a bit)

5 years

Wasn't surprised but think Jeffrey would attract more viewers. Melissa is just toooooo much. One Rachael Ray and one female Neeley is enough. Too loud, too cutesy.

I really liked both pilots, and would have watched both of them. As it stands, I am definitely hoping that Jeffrey gets his own show (like Food Network has done for previous seasons), and I will be checking out Melissa's show on Sunday as well. I think for the first time of NFNS I was equally impressed by both finalists!

I was thrilled that Melissa won!!! I liked her from day one! I think that the Food Network has really screwed up in their choices for the Next Food Network Star and so I thought that they would go for Jeffrey, but they chose correctly!!! Melissa has four kids under the age of 4, the woman is a Goddess!!!

I wish Jeffery would have won. While I think it is great that the Food Network has added shows that offer quick and affordable recipes, I wish they would add more variety and include more exotic and fun programming. I love the Barefoot Contessa and Giada. Yes, their food can be more expensive and time consuming, but it is also delicious and for people that really enjoy the experience of cooking.

5 years

She won the position by amazing cooking, yes, but it was the episode where she told her story of her mother's suicide in college, and overcoming this to finish graduate school, raise her wonderful daughters, operate as an effective corporate executive for ten years, only to find that she needed leave it all and commit herself to the work that made her the most happy, preparing great food.
That episode sealed her fate, just as a virtually identical emotional moment gave wings to Big Daddy when he was forced to explain why he seemed to be so distracted at that time. He went from almost out the door to an inpenetrable lock for the position.
Therefore, the true formula for success is the capacity to prepare amazing food...yes....PLUS the most compelling story among the lot = capture of the golden ring!

I wasn't surprised at all. Once the judges started talking about how much she surprised everyone and how natural she was in front of the camera, I knew she'd be the winner. I think she's got very interesting tips...I liked her tip about offering kids raw cut up veggies along with cooked ones to see which kind they like better. I hope her show has more little tips like that in it. I must say, even though I thought Jeffrey was a little boring, I think his show idea was cool. He'll probably end up like Nathan Lyon (from season 2, I think) with a cooking show on the Travel Channel...Nathan Lyon had a show on Discovery Health Channel that I really liked called "A Lyon in the Kitchen"...he's knowledgeable and likeable, but he just couldn't compete with Guy.

Kinda surprised, but not really. Melissa is smart and a great cook with some new ideas for moms; while I'm not a mom I think her show will do well and for Jeffrey he will have his own show I predict and I will be watching. His concept is fresh and knowledgeable, plus I love the name.

5 years

I would rather watch Jeffrey's show - it seemed like a more interesting concept to me - trying new ingredients - than Melissa's concept, which is already being done by Rachel Ray, basically.

Thank you, Danizzle - I really didn't care if Debbie was the best thing they could have put on the network, she was dishonest from the very first challenge and that did not go unnoticed. Every time I saw her I was waiting for the next lie and/or deception.
I'm glad Melissa won strictly for selfish reasons. I have a toddler and a man to cook for every night, her recipes will help me directly unlike Jeffrey. I did like him, though. Most of the challenges aren't even remotely related to what you would do if you had your own show, it's hard to choose.

Thank you, Danizzle - I really didn't care if Debbie was the best thing they could have put on the network, she was dishonest from the very first challenge and that did not go unnoticed. Every time I saw her I was waiting for the next lie and/or deception. I'm glad Melissa won strictly for selfish reasons. I have a toddler and a man to cook for every night, her recipes will help me directly unlike Jeffrey. I did like him, though. Most of the challenges aren't even remotely related to what you would do if you had your own show, it's hard to choose.

5 years

I kinda wish they both could have won. I would have watched both shows happily. I thought for a long time that Jeffrey would win, but the last few episodes Melissa really stepped it up and showed some real appeal, talent, passion. That made me think she would win, and she did.

5 years

I was SO happy that Melissa won. I found Jeffrey to be so slimy. His greasy hair was yucky to me and he was in real estate so I think he is a snake. Melissa is what I need from the food network.

Neither choice would have surprised me. I knew the it would come down to Jeffrey and Melissa, but I didn't know which would end up winning. I like the concept of "The Ingredient Smuggler" but Melissa's has a real personality in front of the camera that Jeffrey doesn't.

I was actually a bit surprised. To me it seemed that Melissa was just another clone of what they already have on the network (though I do like her) and thought Jeffery's show would be something new and exciting. I really thought he had it in the bag. Is it just me or does Melissa sound a lot like Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee rolled into one?

I was actually a bit surprised. To me it seemed that Melissa was just another clone of what they already have on the network (though I do like her) and thought Jeffery's show would be something new and exciting. I really thought he had it in the bag.
Is it just me or does Melissa sound a lot like Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee rolled into one?